FPJC03

If you understand how modern companies plan out their new ventures (Ships), you will realize that they create focus groups for the demographics that they most want to pursue and follow their suggestions.

HAL, like most major cruise lines, is looking to go after a younger crowd, between 25-55. The AARP generation ( I am one of them) does spend a lot on vacations, but we are not as critical as the next generation of cruisers. To compete with RCCL, Carnival, Celebrity and Norwegian, HAL has to modernize and brighten up its decor, offer more modern entertainment and update the cuisine too.

I am an Uber driver up in Cleveland Ohio and can verify the last poster's statement.

Although against Uber rules, drivers are not supposed to cancel a ride just because it is too short and they should NOT charge a cancellation fee. You should send a text to Uber to request a refund and complain. They do listen to riders.

You can also team up with other couples if you take Uber XL and enter two stops, so that the total trip is longer.

Will be traveling to FLL in January and will Uber back and forth to the Port from the airport.

If you want a small boutique hotel on the Intracoastal and only 2 blocks from the ocean, try PILLARS HOTEL. Within walking distance are several restaurants. Also, the water taxi will stop at the hotel when asked. Look at http://www.tripadvisor.com and see that they are the number TWO rated hotel in Fort Lauderdale. We are staying there post-cruise in January. Their restaurant, Secret Garden, sits right on the intracoastal waterway and is a quiet romantic spot. We are a mature couple in our 60's and will be celebrating my wife's birthday then.

Wow, this must be an older demographic! HAL is looking to lower the target ages of new passengers, so different music, ambiance and cuisine. We will be on the Koningsdam in January and look forward to the modern touches and great music venues. After reading some of the negative reviews about Kdam, I have concluded that many folks don't tolerate change and want everything to stay the same. Welcome to the 21st century!

We are booked on HAL Koningsdam for Jan 14, 2018 sailing. Just looked on HAL website and only Tamarind, Sel de Mer and Canaletto are available to book ahead. Any idea when the others will be bookable? Thanks.

We are taking our first cruise on HAL Koningsdam in January. Wanted to know what time is ideal to get on early enough to have lunch but still avoid the initial crowds. We aren't in a suite or longtime Mariners, so won't get priority boarding.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Frank and Shari from OH.

An UBER XL is like a midsize SUV or minivan. It should hold 4 passengers with luggage.

If the wait for an XL is too long, you might be better off getting TWO Uber X cars.

I am an Uber driver up in Ohio.

I have to add my advice - we went on the Diamond PRINCESS for 11 day land-cruise tour. They own most of the lodges in Alaska for tourists and have most of the train cars reserved for them. I would highly recommend booking with Princess and doing the 4 day land tour first, landing in Anchorage and traveling up to Denali for the park tour, then taking the train down to Seward to board the ship. Also recommend the excursion in Ketchican for a seaplane trip to either Misty Fjords or a small island that has many black bears to watch safely with a guide.

As an Uber driver, unless the driver is rude or reckless, you should give them some kind of tip. You wouldn't NOT leave a tip for the wait staff at a restaurant if the food wasn't prepared well. It isn't their fault, so if there was traffic or delays or the driver didn't talk much, you should still give them a few dollars regardless. Too many riders think that our tip is included, when it is NOT. Remember, an Uber fare is MUCH cheaper than taking a taxi, and they pick you up much faster than taxis too.

I am an Uber driver and a TIP is NOT included in the rate. You now have the option of tipping on the app or giving a cash tip to the driver. If they take your luggage and put it in the trunk and are courteous and friendly, I would definitely give them something extra. An average tip is about 20%. If you have good service at a restaurant, you would definitely tip, same with a rideshare trip. Uber drivers do not make much money, since the company takes at least 25%. Be generous and kind, give that driver a small appreciation of their efforts.

For a great scenic ride on the water, the Water Taxi takes you along the Intracoastal and up the New River along Los Olas Blvd and all the shopping areas. Might want to consider doing that trip too. Cost is about $20/pp but you can use it all day. We have done it a few times and very great tour, the captain points out all the mansions and celebrity houses.

I get having to return to work. But as a philosopher once said "Nobody has on their tombstone ' I regret not going to work more'". You only live once, so please, enjoy the experience of a day in Venice, just take a water taxi (vaporetto) down the Grand Canal. Walk the narrow streets and go over a 100 little bridges over the many canals. Have been there twice, could go back 100 times and not be bored.

Ok, am I missing something? You want to depart Venice ASAP? It is one of the most incredibly beautiful and unique cities in the world. We did a Regent 7 Seas Med cruise 5 years ago. Disembarked and stayed overnight at the Westin Grand Canal. Had wine on the dock overlooking the Grand Canal and took a gondola ride at sunset.

If you have any romance in your soul, you will spend the extra money and stay an extra night post cruise. You will remember it FOREVER.

Arriverderci,

Frank

To all the posters out there, I am an Uber driver in the Cleveland, OH area. There are several 3rd party sites that discuss the various cities that Uber serves and pros and cons of both drivers and riders. All you need to know is where to get a ride from FLL airport or Miami (usually the commercial vehicle area between terminals) and the Port Everglades pickup points. At that area, there are marked "commercial pickup" areas for taxis, limos and Uber and Lyft drivers to get you.

Although some drivers do private pickups outside of the Uber app, if they are caught, they get kicked off the program.

One other issue is the SURGE pricing, which usually hits late at night or early in the AM (before 6am) for airport pickups. You will be able to see if that area has a RED surge price structure then, which can be 2 to 4 times the regular rate.

But if you are coming in between 6am to 11pm, then you are normally ok for regular pricing.

In conclusion, most Uber drivers are safe and reliable, because their ratings are affected by bad rides and passengers who complain. All of us want our scores to be a perfect 5.0.

BTW, will be arriving FLL in mid January and will be taking Uber to the port.

I have been to B Ocean Hotel about 5 years ago. Great location and really lovely hotel. Ambiance is definitely New Age and Modern. But wonderful service and several restaurants in the area, across street from the beach too.

We will be on the Konigsdam for the 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise in January. First time on HAL after being on Celebrity, RCL and Regent. Will there be early shows for the late dinner patrons? On the other ships, there were usually two shows scheduled, one usually at 6pm for the late diners and one at about 8:30pm for the early folks.

If there is only one main show, we might want to change our time to early seating. Have almost always done the fixed times for dinner, since we like having the same wait staff and the same dinner guests to get to know them throughout the cruise. Have had good luck with that about 80-90% of our cruises. Thanks for all advice.

I am an Uber driver in Cleveland and recommend entering a CREDIT card instead of DEBIT card info. Then you are fully protected online. Also, you can get an estimate without entering the info for a ride and cancelling. There is a separate fare estimate part of the program. Also, make sure that you ask the driver what name he has for a pickup for security. He will ask you your name as well for his protection.

For just two people with two large suitcases and two carryons, would a smaller UberX be sufficient? I know that in Cleveland, some of the basic Uber drivers have a really small subcompact and others a larger midsize. Planning on going from FLL to port and then from port to beachfront Fort Lauderdale hotel post cruise.

Going on HAL 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise mid January. Looking for a great resort on the beach in FLL. Saw Marriott, Westin and Lago Mar photos, look marvelous. I know that pricing is at least $300+ but it is my wife's birthday at end of the cruise. Want a fun place to stay for 3 days. Considering even Margaritaville Hotel in Hollywood. Any recommendations from veteran Lauderdale vacationers? Will be first time on HAL, after being on Regent 7 Seas for Mediterranean cruise. Thanks for any help.

Frank and Shari from OHIO

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